The case for screening in early life for 'non-treatable' disorders: ethics, evidence and proportionality. A report from the Health Council of the Netherlands.

ABSTRACT: In the Netherlands, the call to add 'non-treatable' disorders to the newborn bloodspot screening programme has found a sympathetic ear with the Government. In 2019, the Health Council of the Netherlands was formally asked for advice on the conditions under which bloodspot screening for such disorders might be offered. Here we present the reasoning and the recommendations of the resulting report, and briefly discuss its reception. The report holds on to the classical view that screening must benefit the child, but argues for a wider account of child benefit than only in terms of substantial health gains. However, screening for 'non-treatable' disorders would still require evidence of a favourable benefits to harm ratio. The report presents a framework for such screening, but concludes that

SUBMITTER: Kalkman S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9554018 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature